In case you haven't noticed already, it's getting cold outside. Really cold. With temperatures in Beijing expected to dip lower than normal this winter, it's time to think warm (or shall we say hot) thoughts. And seriously, what better Beijing comfort food is there than some good ol' hot pot. Lucky for us, there is no shortage of outstanding hot pot restaurants in Beijing. Here are a few of our top picks:
1. Coucou
While Sanlitun’s Coucou is certainly swankier than its casual sister chain Xiabu Xiabu, it’s imperative that you wear a bib. But ignore this minor informality, and you’ll find an upscale restaurant that is just about worth the higher price tag. Both Coucou’s spicy Taiwanese-style and beef-and-tomato varieties are balanced and rich. As for what goes in? Well, you know the drill. Pick the meat and vegetables you’re partial to and get dipping. (It’s hot pot – our menu recommendations are hardly necessary.)
See a listing for Coucou or read our full review here.
2. Haidilao
It might be a little noisy and a little cheesy, but it’s open 24 hours and it is a solid hot pot place. And for just a few renminbi you can order a 'noodle dance' – the waiter will twirl noodles around rhythmically for your table. It's hilarious, especially when it’s late at night.
See a listing for Haidilao.
3. Yi Jia Ren
Yi Jia Ren isn’t exactly gaudy, but it’s not subtle, either. After all, it does call itself the 'World's Most Beautiful Hot Pot.' But since when have hot pot restaurants been known for their restraint? As far as hot pot restaurants go, Yi Jia Ren is a welcome change of pace – at least from the chaos and subsequent gastrointestinal issues that is the Haidilao hot pot experience (see above). Or the Gui Jie hot pot experience, for that matter. Put simply, few hot pot spots exude the hospitality and comfort of Yi Jia Ren. It is a great place to go if you want to boil your own meat without the clamor or confusion.
See a listing for Yi Jia Ren or read our full review here.
4. Red Bowl
Red Bowl is an ultra-hip hot pot place at Rosewood Beijing. We dig the vibes of this place. They also serve amazing cocktails and craft beer. We’re fairly certain you can't get quality drinks at any other hot pot spot in town.
See a listing for Red Bowl.
5. Ding Ding Xiang
Going by the humble English moniker ‘Hot Pot Paradise’, Ding Ding Xiang has, since 1998, been dispelling stereotypes of hot pot restaurants as noisy, crowded and likely to leave your hair smelling of Gui Jie gutter oil. When owner Huang Xin first launched the chain she resolved to keep the format easy and cheap while, at the same time, making the experience feel high-end, fashionable and a little bit different. And unlike other similarly-priced restaurants where the hotpot base is oily, overbearing and kept for days, the soup here is fresh and edible. This small chain is super popular for a reason.
See a listing for Ding Ding Xiang or read our full review here.
6. Man Fu Lou
This hot pot place is super popular with the tourist contingent. That very well might be because of its location near Jingshan Park and just north of the Forbidden City. Man Fu Lou is best known for its high-quality lamb Mongolian hot pot.
See a listing for Man Fu Lou.
7. Changying Sanxiongdi
With locations across the city, Changying Sanxiongdi (常赢三兄弟) is our new favorite spot for Beijing hot pot. Seriously, we’re not sure how we lived without this place for so long. On a brisk November lunchtime, we checked out the Sanyuanqiao branch and found it buzzing with locals (always a good sign). The quality of the meat really stands out and the vegetables are arguably fresher than the ones down the road at Sanyuanli market.
See a listing for Changying Sanxiongdi.
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